Chicopee merchants could consider new advertising campaign to promote downtown

Republican staff photo by John SuchockiThe William F. Davitt bridge $8.2 million dollar reconstruction project has most of the bridge removed as the crews chip away with machine mounted demolition hammers.

CHICOPEE – A coalition of downtown business owners who have been gathering together to prevent business loss because of the closed Davitt Bridge are now considering a new campaign.

Most business owners said they may have seen a small drop in the number of customers, but those who have shopped elsewhere seem to be returning, said Gail A. Sherman, president of the Chicopee Chamber of Commerce.

“In the summer it is hard to evaluate, but I have not heard complaints,” Sherman said. “People are finding their way to downtown.”

Through the campaign, at least 30 business owners raised more than $20,000 to spend on advertising easy ways people can reach downtown Chicopee. Chicopee Savings Bank owners matched much of the money raised.

The funds have been spent on advertising and show people at least six alternatives to get to downtown without using the Davitt Bridge. The route used the most is from Exit 2 off Interstate 391.

Sherman, who said she used to cross the Davitt Bridge every day to get to work in downtown, said she has not had any problems taking alternate routes.

There have been some complaints about traffic tie-ups at the on and off ramps at Interstate 391. The state has been paying for police to direct traffic there at rush hours, but Mayor Michael D. Bissonnette wants the state to install temporary traffic signals to ease those problems.

Sherman said the group of downtown merchants is now planning to discuss if it should continue the “It’s easy to get downtown” campaign or if they should change the strategy to simply promoting the businesses downtown.

“There are funds that have not been spent,” Sherman said. “Maybe it is advantageous to shift to promote our assets.”

There are a number of recent changes to downtown, such as an outdoor beer garden being constructed at the Munich Haus, an art show at the Defy Gravity skateboard shop and a new West Street Market that opened this spring, she said.

Bissonnette said he will support the merchants, no matter what they decide.

“I would like to see as much community support for downtown as possible. It will encourage others to relocate downtown,” he said.